Prince plays Coachella, covers Radiohead

''Coachella, I am here.''

Prince hit the stage at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival with that announcement, heralding his arrival as the much-anticipated headliner of the summer festival.

Shortly after 11 p.m. Saturday, Prince strutted onto the stage wearing white pants and a white shirt with glittery fringe. His performance, the centerpiece of the three-day festival, was announced only two weeks ago, immediately making an already very hip festival of 125-plus bands significantly more in-demand.

And Prince knew it.

''You are the coolest place on earth right now!'' Prince declared to a sea of tens of thousands.

Prince, who had been sought out to perform at Coachella since the festival was founded nine years ago, told the crowd that when he agreed to perform, he informed the organizers that he would not only play, but party too.

True to his word, Prince then launched his band — complete with a horn section and background singers — into ''Jungle Love.'' Morris Day came out to sing his song, while Prince strolled around the stage with his guitar.

For the beginning of the show, Prince preferred to let his guitar do the talking. He also welcomed the singer and drummer Sheila E, who took the lead for a song and then joined Prince in an extended jam.

Finally, Prince satisfied the crowd with a celebratory performance of ''1999.'' His classic ''Little Red Corvette'' soon followed.

One of the big surprises of Prince's concert was his cover of Radiohead's ''Creep,'' which was sure to be one of Coachella's most talked-about performances. With some lyrics adjusted, a ripping guitar solo and extended falsetto crooning for a finale, Prince's ''Creep'' had the crowd slack-jawed.

The Purple One was clearly in good spirits and was dancing nimbly around the stage, often imploring the audience to clap along. It was his most high profile gig since playing the Super Bowl last year.

Paul Tollett, the founder of Coachella and head of concert promoter Goldenvoice, declined to say how much Prince's payday for the performance was but said a figure of $4.8 million that had been reported was incorrect.

The last to hit the main stage on Friday at Coachella, Prince followed a memorable performance by the newly reunited Portishead, who mixed old songs with new ones. Portishead was preceded by Kraftwerk and Death Cab for Cutie.

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